Sterilizing device



June 10, 1941'; H. I. MORRIS STERILIZING DEVICE Filed April 15', 19:59

s Sheets-Sheet 1 June 10, 1941. 1. MORRIS I STERILIZING DEVICE Filed April 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Eel.)

June 10, 1941, H, MORRI "2,244,916

STERILIZING DEVICE Filed April 1:5, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 (Ittomei;

Fatented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

15 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of sterilization and more particularly to a new and improved method of and apparatus for sterilizing receptacles for dispensing beverages, and the like.

Heretofore, many different practices have been followed in sterilizing receptacles. for dispensing beverages, however, due to certain drawbacks peculiar to each, such practices have not proven to be commercially successful. For. example, Where chemical germicides have been used, it was found that to obtain complete sterilization, the use of an effective solution producedundesirable results from a taste standpoint. In. other wordsv it is difiicult. to obtain atasteless and harmless germicidal solution which will. effectively sterilize receptacleswithin a. period of time commensurate with commercial practicability. Ultra-violetrays asa sterilizing medium has not proven commerciallysuccessful due to the length of time that the receptacle must be subjected to therays to effect complete sterilization. The use of, steam at the required temperature and pressure: ha proven to be a slow and dangerous practice, moreover, the articles when subjected to the steam for the required periodof time become too hot to. handle and necessitate a coolin period before they can be used.

By the present invention, there is proyideia new and improved methodv of and apparatus therefor for sterilizing receptacles, which overcome the undesirable features of the aforesaid prior practices. Through the use of the method contemplated by the present invention I am able to efiect complete sterilization ofa receptacle for dispensing beverages within a period. of time which is commercially acceptable. The apparatusfor carrying out the method insures thatthe receptacle will be completelysterilized.

Briefly, the method of the, present invention includes the steps of projecting a germ destroying medium for example a flame upon a receptacle, bringing said medium into contact with substantially the entire surface area of the receptacle, and maintaining such medium in contact with the surface area of the receptacle during apre-, determined period so that complete sterilization may take place.

The apparatus of the present invention for practicing the foreg-oingmethodcomprises 1'3. support for receiving a glass or other receptacle in an inverted position, an annular burner posithe inverted receptacle. The tube is associated with a. suction fan or other vacuum producing device and serves to withdraw the air from the region adjacent to the bottom of the receptacle, thereby causing the flame from the burner to flow into the receptacle and contact with the entire inner surface thereof. Time control means operable upon the burner and fan insures that the burner will project a flame against the surface of the receptacle for a predetermined period of time.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the sterilizer showing a receptacle thereon in position to be sterilized.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner, and.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the flow of flame against the surface of the container.

Referring to the drawings, the sterilizing apparatus is encased in a hollow cabinet lfl, which may be constructed. in any appropriate manner of any suitable materialsuch as sheets of steel Welded, bolted or otherwise secured together and mounted on a base II. The top l2 of the cabinet I0 is provided with a centrally disposed circular opening l3, spanning which opening are a pair of spaced bars M, the ends of which are secured to the lower surf-ace'of the top l2. The bars 14 serve to support ,a receptacle A in inverted position above the opening Hand in position to bev sterilized. The interior of the cabinet I0 is divided into a plurality of chambers IE, IS, and H by means of spaced plates l8 and. I9 secured to the side walls of the cabinet I0 between the top and bottom thereof.

Sterilization of the receptacle A is effected by means of a flame or other germ destroying medium which is directed against the interior and exterior surfaces of. the receptacle. This flame is preferably provided by a burner 2o dis-. posed Within the chamber It. The burner 29 preferably takes the form of ahollow annular manifold, 2|, which is divided by means of plate 22 intoan upper. chamber 23 and a lower charmber 24, communication therebetween being effected by means of spaced openings 25 in the plate 22. The upper surface 26 of the manifold is downwardly and inwardly inclined and provided with a plurality of openings or jets 21. The manifold 2| is preferably divided into an upper and a lower chamber so that an adequate supply of the combustible mixture at a uniform pressure will be present throughout the upper chamber 23 so as to provide a uniform annular flame projecting upwardly from the burner and against the surface of the receptacle A. The

combustible mixture is introduced into the lower chamber of the manifold through a verticallydisposed mixing tube 28. The chamber-I is suitably vented to the atmosphere through the openings 29 in the side walls thereof to afford an adequate supply of air at all times within the chamber.

The burner 20 is supported within the chamber l5 in spaced relation with respect to the top l2 of the cabinet by means of supporting plates 30. The inclined face of the burner is positioned concentric with the opening l3 and is of such size that the flame projected therefrom will engage the inner and outer surface of the receptacle.

For bringing the flame projected from the burner into contact with the entire inner surface of the receptacle there is, provided a down-take tube 3| which projects upwardly into the receptacle and serves to convey gases from the region adjacent to the bottom of the inside of the receptacle. The down-take tube consists of telescoped tubular members 32 and 33, the latter being supported on the plate H? in communication with an opening 34 therethrough. Disposed in the chamber IS in alignment with the opening 34 is a suction fan 35. The chamber 16 is suitably vented to the atmosphere through the openings 36.

The upper end of the tube 32 is provided with prongs 31 which engage the bottom of the receptacle A when the same is disposed thereover. Secured to the tube 32 adjacent to its upper end as at 3B is a perforated cone 39. In the space between the cone 39 and the telescoped tubes 32 and 33 and encircling the latter is a spring 46, the upper end of which is wedged against :the inner surface of the cone and the lower: end seats on the plate [8. The spring 48 is of sufiicient strength only to support tube 32 and cone 39 and to maintain the end thereof against the bottom of a receptacle, the weight of the receptacle being sufiicient to overcome the resiliency of the spring and permit the edge of the receptacle to rest on the bars It. The cone is provided with a flange 4| which can engage the bars l4 and restrict the upward movement of the tube 32.

Gas or other combustible material is conveyed through conduit 32 from a suitable source of supply and passes to the burner 20 through a solenoid controlled Valve 43. The valve comprises a cylindrical shell 44 extending through the plates I8 and I9, with one end thereof positioned adjacent the open end of the mixing tube 28 and the other end connecting to the conduit 42. The opposite ends of the cylinder 44 are closed by members 45 and 46 each having a retricted opening extending there'through. The opening in the member 45 is bevelled as at 41 to receive the conical end of a valve member 48 which'is freely movable within the cylinder 44. The valve member 48 is provided with an axially extending bore 49 and a transverse bore 50 intersecting therewith. Through the conical end of the valve member 38 the axial bore 49 is vented to the opening through the member 45 by the bore 5|. By this construction there is provided a small continuous flow of gas through the valve and into the burner 20, so that a, small flame is always present which serves as a pilot flame when the valve is opened. Disposed within the chamber I5 and encircling the cylindrical valve housing 4:3 is a winding 52, which is adapted to control the position of the magnetic valve member 68 and thereby the flow of gas therethrough into 1 p the mixing tube 28. The shell 4 and the members 45 and 66 are formed of a non-magnetic material.

A motor 53 is suitably supported from the lower surface of the plate l9, having one end of its armature shaft 54 extending upwardly through an opening in the plate l9 into the chamber I6. The suction fan 35 is secured to and rotated by that portion of the shaft 54 extending into the chamber it. On the opposite end of the motor shaft 54 is mounted a worm gear 55 which engages with a worm wheel 56 disposed on one end of a shaft 51 journale-d in bearings 58 and 55. The shaft 51 carries a gear 66 which engages a gear wheel 6i mounted on a sleeve 62 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 63, the latter being supported between the motor 53 and the bracket 64. The sleeve 62 also carries a switching member 65 which serves to periodically break electrical circuits across the contacts 66 and 61.

With reference to the wiring diagram shown in Figure 5, current flows from one line of a source of current through conductor 10 to contact H of the switch 12 to the contact 13, through conductor l4, across contacts 56, through conductor l5 to one end ofthe winding of the solenoid coil 52 and from the coil through the conductor 16 to the other line of the source of current supply. The motor 53 is suitably connected across the conductors "l5 and 16. Current flows to the solenoid coil 52 and motor 53 through the foregoing circuit during a half revolution of the sleeve 62 which brings the switch arm 65 into position to separate the contacts 66 and break the circuit thereacross. When the contacts are broken, the motor is stopped, solenoid coil deenergized and the valve member 48 shuts off the flow of combustible material to the burner 20. The'device is then in position for the succeeding sterilizing operation which can be initiated by throwing the switch 12 and connecting contact ll thereof with contact 11. In this position of the switch 12 the circuit to the solenoid 52 is from one line of a source ofcurrent supply through conductor 10 to contact H of switch 12 which is connected with contact '11, through conductor 78 across contacts 67, through conductors l9 and T5 to solenoid 52and to the other line of the source of current supply through conductor 76.

In using thesterilizing device of the present invention, a receptacle A is inverted over the perforated cone 39. The weight of the receptacle overcomes the spring 40, telescopes thetubes 32 and 33, seats on the bars [4, as illustrated in' the drawings. When the receptacle to be sterilized is so positioned, the switch 12 is then closed completing a circuit to the motor 53 and the solenoid 52; When the solenoid is'energized the valve memberAB is moved upwardly and gas is projected from the valve into the mixing tube 28.

A flame is produced and projected from the burner 20, as shown in Figure 7, around the inoer and outer surie es. o the 3o;eotaele-.v Si:

he tr pe, he. bottom. o the r set so. the w hdraw l. oi eases them th resh. iaoeht th .hattem o e re ep cle c u es the home to ew n o he. recepta le and to ontact substan ially the entir 5 e oi t e e: ceh aele. Th flameis ause t. close y cheese. the in er s r a f h r c pta le. t the alohe t r ugh he. med um. of jet of air which h ie t rom t ec ines in the 9.621% ra d c ne h r s pr vided fu her ves o sh et com l t c mbus ion f he. eases. with n he recep a e.

s eriz ion of. he rec ptacl continue as o e d ibe or a. pre-de ermh ed period,

' that per od s. of su flcieht duratim to. cited;

complete ste ilizat o o the receptacle... I; have found tha f he receptacle is subjected to. the gas name for a period ofirom three to..five.sec. onds, complete sterilizationisefiected. .This .pe= riod is determined byv rate. of. rotation of the sleeve 62 upon which is mounted the switching arm 65. The reduction gearing. between the motor shaft 54. and gear wheel it. being suchas to cause half a revolution. of. the, sleeve during-the predetermined period. Changes: in the. gearing may be. made to either reduce. or lengthenthe sterilizing. period. At the. termination. of the sterilizing period, the electricalacircuitis broken by the switching arm. 65 and the motor. 53 and solenoid coil, 52,; are deenergized.

placeof. the timing and control mechanism heretofore described, the, motor can be driven continuously, and atiming switch can beplaced athe circuit 0 h solenoid 0011.51 to; control the solenoid valve only or the timing: switch. can be. made to control, the. motor and:v solenoid valve.

hough. he. device h r n. illustrated; for. car- .1 my meth d. has. een described: some: what n. d tail to. beunderstoodthatzvarious r arrangements. and. m d fications. of. parts. may b. s rted o withou departineiromf the; scope or sp ri o then en on. a herein. claimed.

laim 1 A device oi; the class described; forsteriliz- 9:. ecept c s, c ris n su po t. or e e ving a receptacle, a burnerosi ionedad a ent e open end of the receptacleion-prnlectinmh flame agains the inne en b te su a eso the e..- ce'ptacle a'tubular member adapted: to extend intothe receptacle and terminate, adjacent the closed end thereof, and suction producing means associated with theouter end of said. tubularmember, for withdrawing gases froIr 1 theregion adjacent to the closed end; of. the receptacle'into. andthrcugh said tubular member.

2. A. device. of the. class. described for sterilizing receptacles, comprisinga support for receive inga receptacle in inverted position,.aring-like burner spaced below the open end of. the; re.- ceptacle for projecting a flame againstthe-inner and outersurfacesoi; the receptacle, a telescoping tube consisting of a stationary lower member and a movable upper members, said tube adapted to extend into the receptacle with the free end of the movable member resting against the closed end of the receptacle, and suction producing means associated with the lower end of said tubular member for withdrawing gases from the region adjacent to the closed end of the receptacle through said tube.

3. A device of the class described for sterilizthe... rece ac es. ompr in a sup or for. receiw the a rece tac e n inver ed: position, a. rim-l ke burner p ce e ow he open. end. of. t e: e: eptao e fo p ojecting a lame. aeainstth n.- erand; outer s r a e he ecep a le, a. telee sc pin tube cons sti g; oi a. t t on ry lower mem er and a. m va le upp r member, said tub adantedto xtend. into. the recep ac m n for mainta n ng e ee nd of, said. movable member in engagement with the closed end of, the receptacle while the same. is, disposed on said support, and suction producing means. associated with the. lower end of said tubular member for withdrawing; gases from the region: adjacent to the-closedend of the receptacle into and. through said-tube.

4 A, device of the. class described for sterilizing receptacles, comprising a support for receiving: a receptacle, a; ring-like burner positioned adjacent the open end. of. the receptacle for projecting, a flameagainst. the inner-and outer surfaces. of the receptacle; a telescoping-tube consisting of a. stationary member and a movable membensaid tube adaptedto extend into, the. receptacle,, means for maintaining, the free end of saidmovable member in engagement; with the closed end otthe-receptacle. suction producing means associated; with theouter end. of said tubular member for withdrawing gases from the. region. adjacent. to the. Closed end of the. receptacle through; said tube, and means associated; with said tube for directing-air streams toward the inner. wall-of; the receptacle to cause.- the. flame projected into the receptacle toadhere-closely to theinner wallisure face thereof 5; A device; oizthev class describedforsterilizing receptacles,.comprising a support for receivingat receptaclein inverted position, airing-like burner spaced: below-the open endof the receptacle. tor. projecting'a flame against. the inner. and: outer; surfaces.of-thereceptacle, a telescopingtubecone. sisting, of a;st atio.nary-. lower memberv and a movable upper member saidtube.adaptedto extend into. the.- receptacle; means for maintaining the freeend. of said movable member in engagement.

with the. closed. end; of. the receptacle. while. the.

same is disposed on said support, suction.produc-. m means. associated.- With-the. lower end of said tubular member for withdrawing; gases :from. the region. adjacent to, theclosed end; of the receptacle through said-tube; and means associated with, said. tube for. directing a flow of air out-- wardly. toward the inner.- surface of, the receptacle. to cause the flame projected into the receptacle to, adhere closely to the inner wall surface 'thereof.

6-. A device of -theclassdesoribed for sterilizing;

recepta les, comprisin a; support: for receiving; a:

receptacle in. invertedv position, a burner:- spaced below the open end ofthe receptacle-for project ing a flame against the inner and outer. surfaces of the receptacle, valvemeans forcontrollingthe supply of fuel of said burner, .a tubular memberadapted to extend into .thereceptacle and termiing a flame against the inner and outer surfaces of'the receptacle, valve means for controlling the supply of fuel to said burner, a tubular member adapted to extend into the receptacle and termi-' nate adjacent the closed end thereof, suction producing means associated with the lower end'of said tubular member for withdrawing gases from the region adjacent to the closed end of the receptacle through said tubular member, a timing device, and means actuated by said timing device for controlling said valve means.

8. A device of the class described for sterilizing receptacles, comprising a support for receiving a receptacle in inverted position, a-burner spaced below the open end of the receptacle for projecting a flame against the inner and outer surfaces of the receptacle, a tubular member adapted to extend into the receptacle and terminate adjacent the closed end thereof, suction producing means associated with the lower end'of said tubular member for withdrawing gases from the region adjacent to the closed end of the receptacle through said tubular member, and means including a perforated member associated with the tubular member to direct air streams toward the inner surface of the receptacle whereby the flame projected into the receptacle is caused to adhere closely to the inner wall surface thereof, as it passes therealong'.

. 9. A device of the class described for sterilizing receptacles, comprising a support for receiving a receptacle in inverted position, a burnerspaced below the open end of the receptacle for projecting a flame against the inner and outersurfaces of the receptacle; a tubular member adapted to extend into the receptacle and terminate'adjacent the closed end thereof, a perforated member encircling said tubular member, the perforated member and inner wall of the receptacle defining a passageway for the flame projected into the receptacle, and suction producing means for caus ing a flow of air from the interior of the per-' forated member, through the said passageway and downwardly through said tubularmember, said flow of air serving to maintain said flame closely. adherent to the inner wall surface of the receptacle. V 7

10. A device of the-class described for steriliz ing receptacles comprising a support for receiving a receptacle, a burner positioned adjacent the open end of the receptacle for projecting a flame against the inner and outer surfaces of the v1 1. A device of the class described for steriliz ing receptacles comprising a support for receiving a receptacle, 2. ring-like burner positioned adjacent to the open enclof the receptacle for pro:

jecting a flame against the inner and outer surraces-e1 the receptacle, a perforated member e15- tend ing into thereceptacle, said perforated member cooperating with the inner wall of the receptacle to define a chamber for the'fl'ame projected into the receptacle, and means including a tubular member and suction producing means associated therewith for inducing a flow of air from the interior of the perforated member into said chamber and therethrough toward the closed end' of the receptacle, said flow of air serving to maintain the flame closely adherent t the inner wallsurface of the receptacle.

12. The method of sterilizing a receptacle which includes the steps of placing a receptacle on a support, projecting afiame from a point adjacent the open end o-f-the receptacle onto the inner and outer walls thereof, evacuating the region adjacent the closed end of the receptacle, and inducing a flow of air outwardly from the center of the receptacle toward the inner wall thereof and thence toward the bottom of the receptacle thus causing the projected flame to adhere closely to the inner wall surface as it passes therealong.

13. The method of sterilizing a, receptacle which includes the steps of placing a receptacle on a sup-port, project-ing a flame from a point adjacent the open end of the receptacle onto the inner and outer walls thereof, evacuating there- 'gion adjacent the closed end of the receptacle,

inducing'a flow of air outwardly from the interior of the receptacle toward the inner wall thereof and then-cc toward the closed end of the receptacle thus causing the projected flame to adhere closely to the inner Wall surface as'it passes therealong, and automatically interrupting the projection of the flame after a predetermined interval of time. 14. The method of sterilizing a receptacle which includes the steps of placing a receptacle in inverted position on a support, projecting a ring-like flame from a point below the open end of the receptacle onto the inner and outer walls thereof, evacuating the region adjacent the closed end of the receptacle, and inducing a flow of air outwardly from the center of the receptacle to ward the wall thereof and thence toward the bottom of the receptacle thus causing the pro: jecte-d-flame to adhere closely to the inner wall surf-ace as it passes therealong.

1-5.- The method of sterilizing a receptacle which'includes the steps of placing a receptacle in inverted position on a support, projecting a ring-like flame from a point below the open end of the receptacle onto the inner and outer walls thereof, evacuating the region adjacent the closed end of the receptacle, inducing a flow of air outwardly from the'interior of the receptacle toward the inner wall thereof and thence toward the closed endof the receptacle thus causing the projected flame to adhere closely to the inner wall surface as it passes therealon-g, and auto-' matically interrupting the projection of the flame after apredetermined interval of time.

HOWARD I; MORRIS. 

